The Imposition of Democracy in Iraq essays

The Imposition of Democracy in Iraq essays In the wake of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the world is faced with an arduous task. After the removal of a totalitarian regime that has suppressed the Iraqi people for decades, a new government must be created in Iraq. This task is a difficult one for several reasons, but perhaps the largest is because of the challenge that is present in attempting to instill democracy in a nation which has never truly experienced it, and thus has no existing infrastructure which has the capacity to support democracy. Not only this, but one must take into account that the Iraqi people have no concept for an identity as a free, democratic nation. After being repressed for such a substantial amount of time, they will most likely face great difficulty in discovering ways to best utilize their freedom for the prosperity of the people of Iraq. Nevertheless, one must hope that a democratic system will be able to survive and prosper. Despite the initial difficulties which may arise, a democracy is the best co urse of action because it will create an economically sound environment in the long run. The economy will bloom under a non-authoritarian rule. Democracy will let the free market do its work, and with the guidance of political institutions, create a nation which is prosperous and free. Freedom and democracy have historically depended upon the strength of the bourgeoisie (merchant middle class) within a given society. According to Barrington Moore, a strong bourgeoisie has been extremely pivotal in the creation of successful democratic systems. Moore uses three categories of criteria to classify the strength of the bourgeoisie in a society (Moore 1966). The first depends upon the form of commercial agriculture a nation uses. Currently, Iraqs system of commercial agriculture (post-Saddam) is market-based, which according to Moore is conducive to democracy. Next Moore looks at the strength (commercial impulse/interests) of the bourgeoisie. In Iraq, t...